Frog Went A-Courtin'
Pete Seeger Lyrics


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Frog went a-courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
Frog went a-courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
Frog went a-courtin' and he did ride
With a sword and a pistol by his side, uh-huh

Well he rode right up to Miss Mousey's door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousey's door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousey's door
Gave three loud raps and a very big roar, uh-huh

Said, "Miss Mouse, are you within?" uh-huh
Said he, "Miss Mouse, are you within?" uh-huh
Said, "Miss Mouse, are you within?"
"Yes, kind sir, I sit and spin," uh-huh

He took Miss Mousey on his knee, uh-huh
Took Miss Mousey on his knee, uh-huh
Took Miss Mousey on his knee
Said, "Miss Mousey, will you marry me?" uh-huh

"Without my uncle Rat's consent, uh-huh
Without my uncle Rat's consent, uh-huh
Without my uncle Rat's consent
I wouldn't marry the president, uh-huh"

Uncle Rat laughed and he shook his fat sides, uh-huh
Uncle Rat laughed and he shook his fat sides, uh-huh
Uncle Rat laughed and he shook his fat sides
To think his niece would be a bride, uh-huh

Uncle rat went runnin' downtown, uh-huh
Uncle rat went runnin' downtown, uh-huh
Uncle rat went runnin' downtown
To buy his niece a wedding gown, uh-huh

Where shall the wedding supper be? uh-huh
Where shall the wedding supper be? uh-huh
Where shall the wedding supper be?
Way down yonder in a hollow tree, uh-huh

What should the wedding supper be? uh-huh
What should the wedding supper be? uh-huh
What should the wedding supper be?
Fried mosquito in a black-eyed pea, uh-huh
Well, first to come in was a flyin' moth, uh-huh
First to come in was a flyin' moth, uh-huh
First to come in was a flyin' moth
She laid out the table cloth, uh-huh

Next to come in was a juney bug, uh-huh
Next to come in was a juney bug, uh-huh
Next to come in was a juney bug
She brought the water jug, uh-huh

Next to come in was a bumbley bee, uh-huh
Next to come in was a bumbley bee, uh-huh
Next to come in was a bumbley bee
Sat mosquito on his knee, uh-huh

Next to come in was a broken black flea, uh-huh
Next to come in was a broken black flea, uh-huh
Next to come in was a broken black flea
Danced a jig with the bumbley bee, uh-huh

Next to come in was Mrs. Cow, uh-huh
Next to come in was Mrs. Cow, uh-huh
Next to come in was Mrs. Cow
She tried to dance but she didn't know how, uh-huh

Next to come in was a little black tick, uh-huh
Next to come in was a little black tick, uh-huh
Next to come in was a little black tick
She ate so much she made us sick, uh-huh

Next to come in was a big black snake, uh-huh
Next to come in was a big black snake, uh-huh
Next to come in was a big black snake
Ate up all of the wedding cake, uh-huh

Next to come in was the old gray cat, uh-huh
Next to come in was the old gray cat, uh-huh
Next to come in was the old gray cat
Swallowed the mouse and ate up the rat, uh-huh.Mr
Frog went a-hoppin' up over the brook, uh-huh
Mr. Frog went a-hoppin' up over the brook, uh-huh
Mr. Frog went a-hoppin' up over the brook
A lily-whit duck come and swallowed him up, uh-huh

A little piece of cornbread layin' on a shelf, uh-huh
A little piece of cornbread layin' on a shelf, uh-huh




A little piece of cornbread layin' on a shelf
If you want any more, you can sing it yourself, uh-huh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pete Seeger's song "Frog Went A-Courtin'" are a retelling of an old Scottish folk song that dates back to the 16th century. It tells the story of a frog who dresses up in armor, and sets out on a journey to win the hand of Miss Mousey. The story of Frog and Mousey is one of courtship and comedy, and the song has been a popular choice for children's renditions due to its catchy tune and playful lyrics.


The song begins with Frog arriving at Miss Mousey's door, announcing his presence with three loud raps and a big roar. She responds from within her home, and he takes her on his knee to ask for her hand in marriage. But Miss Mousey, mindful of her family's opinions, tells Frog that she cannot marry him without her uncle Rat's consent. Uncle Rat is initially skeptical of Frog's intentions, but his laugh quickly turns into support once he realizes the seriousness of the situation. He runs downtown to buy clothes for the wedding and asks where the ceremony will take place. The wedding feast menu is determined by the guests that arrive: a fried mosquito in a black-eyed pea, laid out by a flyin' moth, with a juney bug bringing the water.


Throughout the song, Seeger uses animal characters to convey a sense of folksy familiarity and conveyance of a universal courtship theme. The lyrics create playful and endearing imagery as well as hint at social stratification underlying small communities. The last stanza of the song sees Frog hopping up over the brook, only to be swallowed by a lily-white duck. The song ends with a little piece of cornbread laying on a shelf, which the listeners must sing if they want any more of the story.


Line by Line Meaning

Frog went a-courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
Mr. Frog went courting and rode on his way


With a sword and a pistol by his side, uh-huh
He carried weapons as he rode


He rode right up to Miss Mousey's door, uh-huh
Frog went straight to Miss Mousey's place


He took Miss Mousey on his knee, uh-huh
Frog took Miss Mousey and sat her on his knee


"Without my uncle Rat's consent...
Miss Mousey cannot marry without her Uncle Rat's agreement


Uncle Rat laughed and he shook his fat sides, uh-huh
Uncle Rat laughed merrily at this proposal


Uncle rat went runnin' downtown...
Uncle Rat went downtown to buy a wedding gown


Way down yonder in a hollow tree, uh-huh
The wedding supper was to be held in a hollow tree


Fried mosquito in a black-eyed pea, uh-huh
The wedding supper would have fried mosquito with black-eyed peas


First to come in was a flyin' moth...
Various guests arrived for the wedding supper


She ate so much she made us sick, uh-huh
A little black tick ate so much that it made other guests sick


A lily-whit duck come and swallowed him up, uh-huh
Mr. Frog's journey ended after he was swallowed by a duck


If you want any more, you can sing it yourself, uh-huh
This is the end of the story, if you'd like more, try singing it to yourself




Writer(s): Inconnu Compositeur Auteur, Ken Kagonovitch

Contributed by Wyatt B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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